Skelmersdale lifesaver David Cunningham praised by police

Aug 18 2011 by Michael Byrne, Skelmersdale Advertiser

Skelmersdale lifesaver David Cunningham praised by police

KEEN footballer David Cunningham used the skills he had learned from his team to save the life of his support worker.

David, who has learning difficulties, leapt into action when carer Terry Brown collapsed and fractured his skull by hitting his head on a step at David’s home in Carfield, Digmoor.

Using the skills he learned from doing a first aid course with the Skem Men-Aces football team he put Terry in the recovery position before calling an ambulance.

Terry was rushed to hospital and after spending five days in intensive care is on the road to recovery.

To praise David for his quick thinking Skelmersdale police presented with him a certificate when they played the team in a match at Glenburn Sports College.

David said: “Terry had been going to the toilet feeling sick and then I found him at the bottom of the stairs. I was quite scared when I saw him but I knew instantly what to do because I had done the first aid course.

“I could see Terry was bleeding so I put him in the recovery position and called an ambulance. The person on control talked me through what to do until the crew arrived. The doctor has said if I hadn’t been there then Terry would have died.

“All Terry’s family think I am a hero and the team keep calling me superman. Terry can’t remember what happened but he is absolutely made up.”

Terry said: “One minute I was having pains in my stomach and the next thing I knew I was waking up in hospital.

“I thank David every day for what he has done for me.”

Carl Eaton, coach of the team, said: “We are all really proud of David for what he has done. He wouldn’t have known what to do if he hadn’t done that course.”

Sergeant Keith Duckworth said: “What David did was fantastic so I spoke to our senior management team and they agreed to present him with a certificate to thank him for what he has done.”